"It has become popular over the past decade to bash buy-to-let investing as being increasingly unappealing. Clearly, however, that is far from the case"
- Paresh Raja - Market Financial Solutions
A new survey has revealed that one-third of UK adults hope to own a buy-to-let (BTL) property in the future, despite growing challenges in the rental and mortgage markets.
The nationally representative study of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by Opinium on behalf of Market Financial Solutions, found that 33% of respondents expressed a desire to purchase a BTL property. Interest was significantly higher among younger adults, with 54% of those aged 18–34 stating this ambition, compared to just 14% of those aged 55 and above.
More broadly, 60% of respondents said they believe property investment is a good way to build long-term wealth. 37% reported they would prefer to invest in a BTL property rather than in stocks and shares. A slight majority (53%) agreed that real estate is a safe and stable asset.
When asked how they would use a hypothetical £1 million lottery win, 58% said they would put some or all of it into property. Among 18–34-year-olds, this figure rose to 68%.
However, the same age group also voiced frustration about market accessibility. A majority (57%) of those aged 18–34 said they resent how much harder it is to invest in BTL properties today than it was for previous generations, pointing to rising house prices as a key barrier.
“It has become popular over the past decade to bash buy-to-let investing as being increasingly unappealing. Clearly, however, that is far from the case," comments Market Financial Solutions chief executive Paresh Raja. "The rise in house prices and borrowing costs, coupled with tighter rules and regulation in the rental market, has undoubtedly caused challenges for both current and prospective landlords. I am sure this will have given some people a reason to question whether BTL ownership is the right route for them, but these survey results underline the love affair that the UK has with bricks and mortar.
He concluded, "Many people aspire to homeownership and property investment. The stability of the market, along with the opportunity for the value of the asset to rise in the longer term alongside a rental income, all contribute to this. Indeed, if BTL mortgage rates do come down in the coming months as expected, we may well see more first-time landlords entering the market.”
